Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-08-01
POLICE REGULATIONS.
what the Coppers Will Now Have
to Con tend with.

10 COmtemO W1tms
The policeman's heart is broken
and as he stalks along his beat at
night, the dark gloom that overhangs
his countenance shows clearly that
something of more than usual impor-
tance is weighing him down with
grief. At the last meeting of the
Police Commissioners it was decided
that the code of rules by which the
San Francisco Polio, Department is
governed, shall hereafter be in vogue
in this city. Heretofore the police
mans life in this city has been very
happy one. He has no sergeant to
follow his footsteps, and to
watch his every movement.
If he so desired he has
been free to crawl down q sewer
trap and 60 to sleep, or to roll in some
doorway and blissfully dream Of the
time when policemen will be thought
more of in the community. Not un-
frequently our policemen can be seen
resting their weary limbs on beer
barrel, or perched upon fence in
search OF rest. No one has ever been
known to look for an officer ON his
beat except one individual, and he
has since regretted it, he went in
sane. The following section is the one
that worries the officers the most:
"Officers ON street duty will be re-
i .~l< cavItsv,nlc aud ot ,vrl6
present a neat and soldier-like appear
ance.
They will be required to patrol con-
stantly during their tour of duty,
moving diligently from one end Of
their beat to the other, avoiding all
lounging and unnecessary conversa-
ton and loiterings by the way; keep
ing vigilant watch for fires and Of
lenses against persons and property,
and the public peace.
In no case shall they leave their
beat without permission, except in
pursuit of objects of official duty Of
pressing importance or necessity,
arising during their tour of duty, and
not admitting time to ask permission.
Officers will be held responsible that
women of the town do not display
themselves at their doors or windows
to invite custom, nor solicit custom on
the streets, and for the preservation Of
order and decency on the streets on
their respective beats.
The patrolmen will no longer look
like tramps, but will have to be at
tired in neat uniforms. They will not
be allowed to keep their coats un-
buttoned nor to put their hands in
their pockets. If they meet friend
upon the street they will not be al
lowed to stand and talk to him. While
this rule is a very hard one, the Off
GERS are elated over it in one respect.
They will, while on duty, be free from
the advapces of creditors. They will
not be allowed to drink on duty or to
visit saloon except on official busi-
ness. One of the officers of an in
ventive turn of mind has invented an
appliance which will charm the
heart of the weary officer. The con-
trivance consists of club which is
dug out, and has screw tap. 1t will
answer a dual purpose of either
beating prisoner to death, or it can
be wadded with whiskey.
Another rule pleases the saloon
keepers. 1t reads:
| Officers must not contract debts for
liquor; nor visit bar-rooms to drink
intoxicating liquor while ON duty nor,
whether on or off duty, become intoxi-
Gated, or throw or count dice for
money, drinks, or things Of value nor
sleep ON duty, either in the office or
elsewhere.
The following rule the officers must
paste in their hats:
Forbearance under provocation, and
a temperate, though firm department,
will insure policeman support in the
discharge of his duty, while violent
or excited manner, or indiscreet alter
cation, will destroy his individual in
fluence, and may draw down public
odium on the whole Department. Vul-
gar or profane language is never neces-
sary, and should not fall from the lips
of peace officer.
The following rule if strictly fol-
lowed will greatly increase the value
of police stock:
| A policeman must be cautious never
to Interfere unnecessarily; but when
required to act, he should do SO with
discretion, decision and boldness, and
he may arrest any one who opposes
him in the execution of his duty.
Scandal will not be tolerated, as
may be seen from the following:
All members of the department are
prohibited from making assertions or
using language tending to the dis
credit or reflecting on the integrity of
police officers until the facts have been
reported in writing to the Chief of Po-
lice and action taken thereon by the
Commissioners.
| The officers are not allowed 70 en-
gage in the pawnbroking business.
Policemen are prohibited from loaning
money to prisoners, on deposit of any
articles in their possession, or from
purchasing any property in the posses
sion OF prisoners, while they are under
arrest.
The appended paragraph has been
amended and reads as follows
Officers are especially cautioned to
be discreet in their conversation with
respect to criminals, their resorts,
etc., in fact all police information
and when arranging any plans for the
detection of crime, or the arrest sof
criminals. to be very careful they are
not overheard, except by reporters.
The book dealers have made cor
ner in the price of the Penal Code,
basing their action upon the following
rule:
1t is expected that every officer will
procure copy Of the Penal Code, and
make himself familiar with it's pro-
visions.
The new rules provide for the ap-
pointment Of sergeants, and they will
be governed as follows:
Sergeants when on duty and not
otherwise detailed, shall constantly
and faithfully visit the several beats,
and iu,narfiaIlv rar,Ort Tn the Chief